Ministry of Defence

Additional UK Contributions to NATO Assurance and Deterrence Efforts

Earl Howe: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Michael Fallon) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. Last year the UK was at the forefront of NATO’s response to the deteriorating security situation in Europe, and since the Summit in Wales last September, the UK has taken forward NATO’s work to develop the Readiness Action Plan. As part of NATO Assurance Measures the UK deployed 3,000 personnel during 2014 on exercise with Eastern Allies; we also based four RAF Typhoons in Lithuania as our contribution to NATO Baltic Air Policing mission. In 2015, we will deploy over 4,000 personnel on exercises with Eastern Allies and UK Typhoons will again undertake a Baltic Air Policing deployment. In addition to our significant support to NATO Assurance Measures, we are also making a major contribution towards the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). The UK will lead NATO’s VJTF in 2017 with a UK contribution numbering up to 3,000 personnel. This will include the Brigade Headquarters, armoured infantry and light role infantry Battlegroups plus communications, reconnaissance, intelligence capabilities, as well as combat support and logistic elements, which will ensure that the multi-national Brigade can operate as a rapidly deployable and effective fighting force. In addition to this, we are now offering two additional UK contributions. First, I have offered a Battle Group of 1000 personnel to the Polish-led VJTF in 2020. Our commitment demonstrates the leading role the UK is taking at the heart of NATO and it will assist in deepening our defence relationship with a key NATO Ally. We expect a matched Polish contribution to be part of the UK-led VJTF in 2017. Second, I have offered a deployment of a further four RAF Typhoon aircraft to enhance NATO Baltic Air Policing mission next year. 2016 will be the third year running that the UK has made such an offer, which demonstrates the importance of the longstanding Baltic Air Policing mission.